An Exploration of Technology Diffusion

S-Tier
Journal: American Economic Review
Year: 2010
Volume: 100
Issue: 5
Pages: 2031-59

Authors (2)

Diego Comin (not in RePEc) Bart Hobijn (Arizona State University)

Score contribution per author:

4.022 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We develop a model that, at the aggregate level, is similar to the one-sector neoclassical growth model; at the disaggregate level, it has implications for the path of observable measures of technology adoption. We estimate it using data on the diffusion of 15 technologies in 166 countries over the last two centuries. Our results reveal that, on average, countries have adopted technologies 45 years after their invention. There is substantial variation across technologies and countries. Newer technologies have been adopted faster than old ones. The cross-country variation in the adoption of technologies accounts for at least 25 percent of per capita income differences. (JEL O33, O41, O47)

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aecrev:v:100:y:2010:i:5:p:2031-59
Journal Field
General
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-25